Rules for Games on Saturday, May 23, 2009.

In this format a number of players rotate through different teams in a series of short games. Each player is awarded points based on the result of his team's game. These points are added together so that at the end of the tournament one player, unless there is a tie, will emerge as the winner.

This system keeps the games competitive. The children are playing to win and one or two losses aren't catastrophic. The coach can monitor the scores and adjust the teams so that players can't easily run away with the tournament or get buried.

Rules.
*Time. 10 to 12 minute games.
*Numbers. 4v4, or if numbers allow one group plays 3v3 or 5v5.
*Scoring. Each player on a winning team gets 10 points and 1 point for each goal scored by the team. The losing players each get 1 point for every goal scored by the team. In a tie every player gets 5 points plus 1 point for each goal scored by his team.
*Since this is a competition it is recommended that all teams play the "same game" although it doe not have to be the basic game.
*Touchline Restarts are a kick or dribble in from the point where the ball went out.
* Goal line Restarts are corner or goal.
* All penalties are indirect.

Organization.
*Set out enough fields for the number of players. Label each goal. In the example below two fields are set up for 16 players. The goals are labeled A, B, C and D.
*The coach tells each player which goal to report to. The teams organize themselves there.
*Scrimmage vests and balls are available at the fields. Players can leave the vests at a goal at the end of each game.
*Players referee themselves.
*On a signal from the coach all of the games begin. The games end on another signal. The coach's job is to be a time and record keeper.
*The players report their results to the coach who records them, (see example), and the coach tells them which goal to report to next. The sequence repeats until all of the games are done and the winner is determined.

Coaching. The coach should refrain from offering too much advice. It's up to the children to organize themselves, deal with the soccer problems they encounter and to take responsibility for their play. The major advantage of this method can be seen after the children have played it a few times and know what to expect. They will have to assume responsibility for their own teams and performance.